After hours though, he exercises his ability to lift, pull and push raw steel - an ability that has earned him the name "Super Doc."

Having grown up on a farm, Murphy understands the value of hard work and a healthy lifestyle.

"I really learned to appreciate hard work while living on my father's farm in West Virginia," said Murphy. "Once I entered junior high, I began to use weightlifting as a healthy outlet to beat stress."

Murphy, 28, who joined the Navy in 1999, began his gym commitment while attached to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment on the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa in March 2001. 

"I enjoyed the challenge," said Murphy. "I meet a lot of motivated people to workout with during the competitions on island."

Murphy has enjoyed success in the power lifting field and earned a name for himself among other competitors.

"They called me 'Super Doc' after I achieved overall first place during the Camp Schwab Bench Press competition." said Murphy.

"Now, I would like to take my fitness to a new level," he added.

Murphy also wants to inspire other service members to strive for physical fitness and believes that by visibly working hard to stay fit, Marines and sailors will follow his example.

"There is a better way to live than by eating junk food and staying on the couch," said Murphy. "By watching how they eat and staying fit, service members can gain a better lifestyle."

He shares his passion for fitness by leading morning physical training, and creating fitness and exercise routines for sailors looking for improvement. Sailors in Murphy's unit notice his enthusiasm for fitness.

"He keeps us on our feet," said Seaman Jonathan Pring, a corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. "Every day we see him come back from lunch break sweaty from working out."

Murphy does aerobic exercises and trains with weights every day to prepare for upcoming body building competitions. He conditions his muscles by exercising two muscle groups.

He also takes time out of his schedule to work out four to six times a week and balances his diet by eating a number of food portions high in protein and nutrients.

"It's important to eat lots of medium-sized portions of food throughout the day to make improvements," said Murphy. "Without it our bodies won't make those substantial improvements."

Additionally, Murphy trains at any gym, "As long as it has a bench press and a pull-up bar," but prefers to train at Gunner's Fitness Center located on Camp Foster because of the space and the leg exercise machine.

He trains heavily with the aid of his lifting partner, Staff Sgt. Dustin Coco, an airframe hydraulics mechanic with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Group, III MEF.

"We're like Rocky and Apollo Creed," said Coco. "We train not only for competitions, but because it keeps us in control of our lives and goals."

He is also inspired by his wife who is also a fitness enthusiast.

"Fitness is something we share in our marriage," said Murphy. "She keeps my eating habits in check, and we go to the gym together."

Weight lifting and staying healthy helps keep his life balanced, said Murphy, but what makes him a well rounded person is his spiritual commitment.

"Every time I get under the bar I ask God to help me lift a new weight and reach new heights," said Murphy.

Murphy is training for body building after spending 10 years as a power lifter. His plan is to compete in the 15th Annual Far East bodybuilding competition on Aug. 1. It may be different than the powerlifting Murphy is used to, but when it comes to physical fitness, Super Doc is flexible.